ROTORUA - Cage fighting, labelled the human equivalent of pitbull or cock fighting, is coming to Rotorua and police are not happy about it.
The Wellington organisers of cage fighting have included the city on their tour itinerary.
Cage fighting was hotly debated when organisers held a competition in Lower Hutt last month.
The event was monitored by security staff and police - some armed with batons.
Cage fighting puts two people in an eight-sided caged ring to fist-fight, protected only by mitts and mouth guards.
Argument has centred on whether the sport is legal or simply fighting.
Inspector Steve Bruce, from the office of the Police Commissioner, labelled the sport "the human equivalent of pitbull or cock fighting."
The organiser, Paul Craze, said only one person had been injured in the first event - by being knocked out temporarily.
He announced plans for a three-month tour that will also take in Hamilton, Palmerston North, Upper Hutt, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Senior Sergeant Nigel Escott of Rotorua said that he would not be pleased to see the event come to Rotorua but there was little police could do if it was deemed legal.
"If it was legal, police would have to go with the flow, but we certainly wouldn't want to be involved in any way at all," he said.
Any security for such a show would have to be provided privately.
Police senior legal adviser Hamish Woods said no decision had been reached over whether cage fighting was legal.
- NZPA
Cage fighting tour worries police
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